Veteran Tamil music composer and singer Deva, popularly known as ‘Thenisai Thendral’, was laid to rest with state honours at his farm in Pazhaya Mangadu village in Sakkaramallur, Arcot taluk, Ranipet district, on Sunday. The composer, who died of a heart attack in Chennai on Saturday, was 75.
As part of the state honours, personnel from the Ranipet Armed Reserve Police fired 72 rounds into the air. Deva’s mortal remains were brought from Chennai to his farm around 3 pm and taken to the burial site in a procession accompanied by traditional percussion music. Residents of his native village put up tribute banners along the route, while local residents, relatives and thousands of admirers gathered to pay their last respects.
The composer’s mortal remains, placed in a teakwood coffin, were laid to rest at a designated spot on the farm. Cooperation Minister V Gandhiraj, Ranipet Collector N Priya Ravichandran, District Revenue Officer N Saravanan and several MLAs attended the funeral, alongside members of the film industry and local residents.
The state government announced that Deva would be accorded state honours following tributes from prominent political leaders and film personalities in Chennai on Saturday.
Superstar Rajinikanth visited Deva’s residence in Chennai on Saturday and appeared visibly emotional as he paid his last respects. He also consoled the bereaved family but did not address the media. Deva composed music for several of Rajinikanth’s films and created the iconic theme associated with the actor’s title card.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor C Joseph Vijay also visited the composer’s residence to pay his last respects and offer condolences to the family. Vijay expressed grief over Deva’s demise and noted his contribution to popularising gaana music and composing for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema.
Born Devanesan Chokkalingam on November 20, 1950, Deva rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His notable works include Annamalai, Baashha, Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Kushi and Vaalee. He received the Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaimamani Award and the State Film Award for Best Music Director for Aasai.